Hebrews 9:1-5 – God wants us near

Having introduced the New Covenant, the author proceeded in chapter 9 to  show why it was better than the Old Covenant. In saying God had made the first covenant obsolete, he was aware that some might get the impression that he was undermining the Old. However, he was not denigrating the old system, he was merely pointing out its inadequacy. He was merely describing the earthly tabernacle that the Levitical priests served, in order to compare it to the greater and perfect Sanctuary where Christ the High Priest served.

The first covenant referred to, in verse 1, was of course the Mosaic Covenant. In that covenant there were regulations concerning worship. Those regulations for operation were specified in the Law. The author also made reference to the sanctuary and he qualified it with the world “earthly.” His intention was to show that it was a man-made sanctuary as opposed to the heavenly Sanctuary or Heaven, the dwelling place of God.

In verses 1-5, the author described the tabernacle that God had instructed Moses to construct (Exodus 25-30). In verse 2, he made references to the Holy Place and the furnishing in it and in verse 3-5; he described the Holy of Holies and its furnishings. In the Holy Place was found the lampstand (Menorah) and table of sacred bread whereas in the Holy of Holies, he pointed out that there were the altar of incense, the Ark of the Covenant, the golden jar of manna, the rod of Aaron that budded, the table of the covenants (the two tablets that contain the Decalogue), and the two cherubim that cover the mercy seat.

There appears to be a little contradiction between this and the Exodus’s account. In the Old Testament, the altar of incense was placed in the Holy Place and not the Holy of Holies. Most people understood Hebrews 9:4 to say that the altar of incense was in the Holy of Holies. How do we reconcile this? In the passage, the author’s emphasis was on the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. What he could be saying is this: standing on each side of the veil was the altar of incense and the Ark of the Covenant respectively. Hence, in his mind, the altar of incense was on the side of the veil in the Holy Place. 

These furnishings could only serve to constantly remind worshippers of their sin, it could not offer any means for them to enter God’s presence. Bear in mind that they are only foreshadow of better things to come. They were supposed to assist worshippers to draw near to God. The intention of God remains the same – He still wants us near.

Take me past the outer courts
Into the holy place
Past the brazen altar
Lord, I want to see your face

Pass me by the crowds of people
The priests who sing your praise
Lord, I hunger and thirst for Your righteousness
And it's only found in one place

Take me in to the holy of holies
Take me in by the blood of the lamb
Take me in to the holy of holies
Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am
Take the coal, cleanse my lips, here I am